Written By kom nampultig on Senin, 11 November 2013 | 07.20

CHENNAI: Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, IIT-Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore will partner with the University of Melbourne to offer a new joint PhD scholarship programme from 2014.

The Melbourne-India Postgraduate Program will provide Aus$3 million as scholarship to 16 PhD scholars and associated support for research exchanges over the next three years.

"As a university we are committed to supporting research that has global impact and benefits, and this programme will go a long way to help further this goal," a press release shared ahead of the launch of the programme quoted Glyn Davis, vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne, as saying.

"By enabling students from India and Australia to undertake jointly developed research of the highest quality, we're confident the program will address shared global challenges in areas of environmental, societal and technological need," Davis said.

"We're excited that the program will give students the opportunity to contribute to the development of education, cultural and industry links between both countries," he added.

The programme will be open to PhD students enrolled at the University of Melbourne, to be co-supervised by faculty at IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Madras or IISC. Alternatively, students enrolled in one of the three Indian institutions will have access to co-supervision with Melbourne academics.

In the press release, IIT-Kanpur director Indranil Manna said, "Australian and Indian communities hold immense respect for each other and this is yet another opportunity that would contribute to the strengthening of cultural ties between the two great nations."

The faculty at IIT-Kanpur has advocated and encouraged interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest in science and engineering. According to him, such programmes not only contribute to diversity on campus, but also help build bridges across geographical borders.